Students in Virginia Tech’s Packaging Systems & Design Program will be using new equipment this Fall provided by the International Corrugated Packaging Foundation (ICPF). The Emerson Apparatus compression tester is a key piece of equipment for undergraduate students in the packaging program, will support research initiatives, and replaces a previous compression tester that was no longer functional.
ICPF President, Caitlin Salaverria said, “ICPF was delighted to provide placement of this piece of equipment at Virginia Tech. The Packaging Systems & Design program at Virginia Tech provides students with in-depth knowledge of the use of corrugated fiberboard as an important packaging material. This donation will allow Virginia Tech to continue to develop talent with specific corrugated industry knowledge, preparing them for future careers in our industry.”
The Packaging Systems & Design program at Virginia Tech has a strong focus on experiential learning in multiple packaging areas related to the corrugated industry. This focus includes structural packaging design, package dynamics engineering, material science research, and marketing.
“With the support of ICPF and this new state-of-the-art equipment, we will increase the quality of experiential learning that our students receive,” said Eduardo Molina, Assistant Professor of Packaging Systems and Design in the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials at Virginia Tech. “This new compression tester will be accessible to students in different classes where they are exposed to the development of corrugated packaging, from the first packaging-related class, all the way to their senior capstone project. Along the journey, students will learn about the importance of proper material testing and evaluation, learn the scientific basis for the engineering of packaging solutions and apply the knowledge in a practical manner.”
“As an industry sponsored foundation, ICPF has worked for almost 40 years to advance student and faculty knowledge of the industry and to promote development of a highly trained workforce,” said Salaverria. “We’ve provided over $13 million in donations of equipment and grants to universities through our University Awards Program and look forward to continuing our efforts over the coming years.”